Home and Away: Stags looking to claim pole position this evening

 

Jonno Turner picks out two selections to boost the bank this Thursday..

 

We're off to Stamford Bridge this evening, as Chelsea welcome Rubin Kazan to the capital in the Europa League, looking to secure a much coveted lead ahead of their second leg tie in Russia next week.

 

Rafa Benitez' side will be full of confidence following their 1-0 FA Cup victory over Manchester United at the weekend - and that result appeared to finally silence the shouts of discontent coming from the West London stands regarding his appointment.

 

That makes four wins on the bounce, and nine unbeaten ahead of this clash - and the Blues will be desperate to maintain that impressive form against their Russian guests.

 

Three clean sheets from their last four on their own patch suggests that Rafa has made his side hard to beat, and they will be looking to hold out their opponents once again here, with away goals much sought after in this competition.

 

Kazan travel west having picked up just one win in five on the road, and boss Kurban Berdyev will be hoping that his side can come out of this clash with a fighting chance of making the next round of this trophy.

 

But the visitors will be without Alexander Ryazantzev and midfielder Yann M'Vila who are absent through injury - and they will be big misses to the Tatarstan side.

 

Just three goals scored in five on the road suggests that the Tsentralnyi Stadium club have found it hard to break down their hosts of late, and that could be telling in this clash, as they look to breach a strong home rearguard.

 

Bet 1: Chelsea (HOME) @ 1.59

 

Dropping to the English Conference National now - and it's a top of the table clash between Wrexham and Mansfield, with both teams eyeing promotion as the end of the campaign looms.

 

Mansfield travel to North Wales in excellent form - and have won their last 12 outings in the league, which has moved them into second place in the table - just one point off the summit, with three games in hand on top side Kidderminster.

 

A 4-0 win over Gateshead last time out will have the Stags full of confidence going into this clash, and four clean sheets from their last five shows just how dominant the Nottinghamshire side have been of late.

 

Paul Cox's side have won their last six away from Field Mill, and that suggests that they are excellent value to take maximum points from this one and move into pole position in the fifth tier.

 

Wrexham lineup for this clash in inconsistent form, and haven't won in four - which leaves them sitting fourth in the table.

 

Andy Morrell's side have won just one of their last four outings in front of their own fans, and two 0-0 stalemates on the bounce will have the Dragons faithful desperate for some excitement.

 

But those clean sheets are their only two in their last eight games, and that indicates that Mansfield may well trouble their hosts in the final third this evening.

 

Bet 2: Mansfield (AWAY) @ 2.94

 

Bet HERE

Viewed 710 times